Pursuing the main goal of the project of developing novel mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics analytical technologies for biomedical research and clinical implication, we are generating protein-biomarker assessment assays for quantitation of 1000 proteins in one sample of human blood plasma with utilization of new type of mass spectrometer (timsTOF Pro) with the ion mobility option and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode, which cumulatively provides unequaled specificity, reproducibility, multiplexing capability, analytical throughput and sensitivity compared with current MS methods.
The optimization of liquid chromatography (LC)-MS conditions for PRM mode on timsTOF Pro mass spectrometer for near 300 proteins was completed and compared with MRM-based data obtained on currently used QQQ MS instruments. We demonstrated that new generation timsTOF Pro mass spectrometer in PRM mode can be effectively used for targeted absolute quantitative proteomics with a high level of specificity and sensitivity. The established in the laboratory high-throughput synthesis of peptide standards, which are a key part of the technology, is efficiently providing the extension of the technology development range to 1000 proteins in one sample.
The quantitation of 270 clinically significant proteins of blood plasma from healthy volunteers has been performed to establish the regional normal range, which has been previously shown before depends from population ethnic background.
We have developed and tested method of detection of SARS CoV-2 virus in epithelial smears from the nasopharynx, based on mass spectrometry detection of the virus’s N protein. The method allows reliable detection the virus even in patients with low viral load. The result was published in Q1 journal (Journal of Proteome Research) and submitted patent application is approved.
Several conducted and published studies support the concept of the implementation of MS-based proteomic technologies into clinical practice specifically precision oncology.
Implemented results of research:
The assay of mass spectrometry viral protein based detection of SARS-CoV-2 is testing in V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow (Russia).
Education and career development:
- The 162 hours, 6 credits “Omics Technologies” course for Master and PhD Skoltech students of «Life Sciences» and «Computational and Data Science and Engineering programs» has been created and implemented.
- The 81 hours, 3 credits “Postgenomic Technologies for Precision Medicine” course for the same audience has been created and included to Skoltech education program.
- 3 PhD students and 3 Master students in the laboratory.
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Had 1 PhD defense and 1 PhD defense is planning.
Organizational and structural changes:
- Peptide synthesis group (established).
- Skoltech Project Center: Mass Spectrometry and Omics Technologies (under establishment).
- MRM Proteomics R, LLC (established) – Skoltech spin-off company for commercialization of the laboratory developments.
Collaborations:
- McGill University, Department of Oncology & Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, (Canada): R&D collaboration.
- Bruker Daltonics (Germany): R&D collaboration.
- V.N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (Russia): R&D collaboration.
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation (Russia): R&D collaboration.
- Institute of Biomedical Problems-Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia): R&D collaboration.
